16 years of service to numismatics
BULLETIN
L * *
Volume 14 Number 10
Price .... One Dollar
o
co
o
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
Changing Patterns of Collecting. . . .A Very Brief Introduction
to the Coins of India, by I. C. G. Campbell 297
Some Spanish Civil War Notgeld , by W. A. Haskell 307
DEPARTMENTS
Contents of the NI Reference Collection 317.
IDENTIFICATION, Please? 314
Member Notice Page 324
New Issues 318
INSIDE N.I.
Donations Report
Librarian's Report
Membership Chairman's Report
NICE II (1980)
1981 Dues Notice
295
296
295
296
296
OTHER ITEMS
Correction - Christopher Columbus Article 324
Hints for Collectors , by Alfred & Augusta Szego 314
India Book Notes, by David G. Briggs 316
Naima and Numismatics, by R. J. H&beirt 305
The Inflation Spiral and Numismatics, by Simaha Kuritzky 315
Copyrighted by Numismatics I n ter nat ional.PQBox 30013 .Dal la * .Texas . USA
CcTe&di
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
CARL YOUNG
Chairman & Past-President
jr *
5* -
i
i
> * I
V -1
•v
CHARLES MUCHMORE, JR. DON DOUGLAS
President Vice-President
WALTER LEONARD ELMORE B. SCOTT
Secretary Treasurer & Past-President
C. C. ANDREWS WILLIAM C. BRADY PHILIP L. LAWRENCE
At-Large Director At-Large Director At-Large Director
WILLIAM E. BENSON KARY T. EDWARDS
MARVIN L. FRALEY JACK E. LEWIS
ROSS SCHRAEDER JOHN E. VANDIGRIFF
Past-Presidents
I
APPOINTED STAFF
Curator, NI REFERENCE COLLECTION
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Editor, NI BULLETIN
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30 Pleasant St.
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Mail Bid Sales
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Correspondence should be directed to those persons and addresses above
for departments indicated. All other correspondence should be mailed
direct to NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL, P. 0. BOX 30013, DALLAS, TX 75230.
PUBLICATION DEADLINE: The Friday following the first Wednesday of each
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issue of the NI BULLETIN .
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Write to NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL, P. 0. BOX 30013, DALLAS, TX 75230,
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294
1
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
October 1980 Applications for Membership: The following persons have
applied for membership. If no written objections are received by De-
cember 1, 1980, their membership will become effective on that date.
(MT = Mail Trader)
1629 G. F. La Barba, 739 Prairie Creek Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044
1630-MT David A. Coia , P. 0. Box 2113, Columbus, Ohio 43202
(Chinese Coins Pre-1911, Viet Nam Pre-1945, Korean
and Japanese Pre-20th Century)
1631 Rong Dad Ho, 188 Lake Otis Road, Winter Haven, Fla. 33880
(Chinese Coins)
1632 Calhoun's Collectors Society, 7275 Bush Lake Road , Edina ,
Minn. 55435
1633 George K. Scarbrough, 800 W. Spring Valley Rd. , No. 806,
Richardson, Texas 75080 — (Asian Paper Money)
1634- MT John Zanders, P. 0. Box 35050, Houston, Texas 77035
(Dealer in Spain, Mexico, Philippines, Latin America,
Germany)
1635- MT Richard Colliass , 15 Belmont Vale, Maidenhead, Berkshire,
England — (Chinese Cash Coins)
1636- MT Chong Kim Swee, 172-S Whampoa Drive, Apartment Block 101,
Singapore 1232, Republic of Singapore
Regular Membership Converted to Life Membership:
LM-18 (1357) James J. Davies, 1135 Woodland Ave. NE, No. 3,
Atlanta, Ga. 30324 — (Franklin Mint Issues)
REINSTATEMENT : The following member has complied with the By-Laws
and is hereby reinstated to full membership:
1453-MT Mrs. Angelita G. Legarda , P. 0. Box 70, Greenhills , Metro.
Manila, Rizal , Philippines
(Spanish Colonial, Philippines)
*****
DONATIONS REPORT: We wish to acknowledge the following donation
received since the last report :
Donation and
Name Stated Purpose Preference of Use
LEGARDA, Angelita G. $30.00 Cash for 5 books NI Library Fund
sold at ANA NI meeting.
295
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
I. Acknowledgement is made to Christine Boczarska for the following
books donated to the NI Library:
BOCZARSKA, CHRISTINE & DICKIE, GORDON. World Coins, a Market Analyst
Five editions commencing with June 30, 1939 and ending with June |
30, 1980. Latest edition 254pp , not illustrated. This is a
quarterly publication listing prices asked for world coins as
published by over 200 dealers. Over 200 countries listed.
II. In addition to the above the Library would also like to thank
Robert A. Plemmons for the donation of a number of auction catalogs
to our shelves.
III. The Library would again like to remind our U.S. citizen readers
that donations to the NI Library of books, magazines, numismatic news-
papers and catalogs are tax deductible. By giving of your excess or
superceded material you will be helping not only yourselves but others
who will be able to borrow the books and other items for their own
research and enjoyment. Please keep us in mind. We need your help.
Granvyl G. Hulse, Jr.
Librarian
*****
NICE II (1980) — LAST CALL FOR EXHIBITS & HOTEL RESERVATION CARD
November 14, 15 & 16th is fast approaching for the kick-off of our
second NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL COIN EXPOSITION (NICE II) at the
Dunfey Dallas Hotel.
There is still some room for exhibits for the show and if you have
not requested an exhibit application, you should get your request off
immediately to Elmore B. Scott. Let's fill up all the available
exhibit space.
Also, a hotel reservation card can be obtained from NICE, P. 0. Box
6094, Richardson, Texas 75080. You can receive the special reduced
hotel rate only by using this reservation card.
In addition to the repeat co-sponsorship of NICE this year by the
Organization of InternationalNumismatists (OIN) , the International
Bank Note Society (IBNS) has agreed also to be a co-sponsor. The
show should be a huge success considering it has the expertise of
workers from three of the leading world numismatic groups, NI, OIN
and IBNS, plus the excellent support we have been receiving from
Russell Rulau and his staff at WORLD COIN NEWS.
Hope to see many of you in Dallas on November 14, 15 and 16th°!
*****
296
CHANGING PATTERNS
OF COLLECTING
A Very Brief Introduction to the
Coins of India.
by I. C. G. Campbell , Weeping Water, Nebraska, NI #LM12
Robert R. Kutcher tells me that more collectors are turning to India
for coins as ancients of all kinds, as well as medievals, become above
the funds of many collectors. For this reason he told me a few hints
and guidelines might help.
India does offer a great many advantages. It is an area of immense
numismatic wealth (actually a sub-continent), and most of it unexplored.
Its coins are in abundant supply - not surprising its very long and
huge area-wise and history. These coins offer challenges in many areas.
There are a good many catalogues - some 80 without journals would give
one's library a very good coverage indeed. If one specializes, even
in a general sense, far fewer are needed. Except for a few out of print
works , and very modern
works like Mitchiner's
Indo-Greek and Indo-
Scythian Coinage (9 vols.)
most of the catalogs are
inexpensive, or cheap
reprints. Their main
disadvantages are four
fold; poor paper and
worse illustrations;
often the script is not
given as many of the books
were written by scholars
for scholars, only the
Anglicised transliter-
ations; there is a very
large variety of scripts that have been used (or often none at all) ;
these are unknown and hence difficult without guides. Luckily, most
of the catalogs are readily available, and are in English, the lingua
franca of India these past 175 years or so.
Some of the main fields are:
I. Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian, covered by Mitchiner's catalogues.
Perhaps the former are the best known since quite early on
Indo-Greek
Eucratides Tetradraohm, 171-135 B.C.
Obv. : Note type of helmet, characteristic
Rev. : Heavenly Twins on horseback
297
INDIA around 150 A.D.
The Kingdoms underlined are all very much
later. They are put in to shew the general
areas.
Indo-Scy thian
Ar Tetradrachm Azes I 90-40 B.C.
Obv: King on horseback
Rev: Athena standing left
collectors of classical coins were
concerned about them. The very
first in the series were well struck
and handsome, but they soon degen-
erated. In some series the Greek
script, or debased forms, is used
long after the coins have ceased to
be Greek, i.e the early Kushan
pieces (see illustrations on the
following page) . In general these
tend to be expensive, though not
as much as Greek coins proper.
298
Rushan Empire
Cu Tetradrachm
Obv. : King sacrificing left
Rev. : Siva and bull
Wima Kadphises II (c. 60-78 A.D.)
(This is a standard type with Siva
and the bull design the most
common. Both designs degenerate
and are reduced in weight for
centuries . )
Rushan Au Dinar
Vasudeva II (c. 220 A.D.)
Obv. : Ring crowned standing.
Note Greek inscription.
Rev. : Siva standing facing.
Note small bull in back-
ground.
Most important of all, beware of the many forgeries; the only safe way,
until you known your coins, is to buy from a knowledgeable dealer.
Mitchiner lists some of the best known samples. These have been emerg-
ing in the bazaars of Afghanistan and Pakistan for a century and a
quarter. Indo-Greek coins have the big advantage that the script is
already known to the collector of classical Greek coins. Sometimes
even the degenerate scripts can be deciphered on this basis.
II. This last fact is true of the second largest and best known field,
namely the Islamic. That field can be subdivided to suit your pocket-
book and interests. The script is the Persian form of Arabic - sometimes
India - Malwa Au Mohur
Ghiyath Shah 1469-1500
Hyderabad Rupee , Handstruck
A.H. 1253-73
a little modified. There is a second variation of that, in the Hyder-
abad form.
The largest and the most beautiful group is that of the Mughal rulers
of India. During their prime the coins were well struck and attractive;
they are also plentiful. Last year Dr. Gupta finished checking his
catalog of the British Museum collection in this field, around some
10,000 pieces. Unfortunately from what he says, it does not seem like-
ly to be published in the near future due to lack of money. However,
there are a number of other volumes that can easily be used by anyone
reading Arabic, since the script is not all that different.
299
Nuru-d-din Jahangir Zodiacal Coinage
A.H. 1027 y Regnal Year 13
Very rare and beautiful.
Akbar , Ar square Kalima
A.H. 1000 (with flan too small)
Sultans of Delhi
Billon , Ghiyas al-Din Balban
1265-87 A.D.
Perhaps India's Commonest Islamic
Covn
i
Besides the Mughal coins, there are, generally speaking, two other
groups; the small dynasties of which perhaps the Delhi Sultans are the
most numerous, and the Princely or Native States. The last are far more
common in the copper form. Also, there is a good catalog for them,
namely, the annual edition of Kraus e-Mish ler ' s Standard Catalog of
World Coins which deals with the period 1750 A.D. to date. The copper
Some miscellaneous handstruck copper types:
Kashmir CIO Paisa
Note dagger & date on obv. (SE1877)
Bahawalpur Cl 5 Paisa
Note date on obv. (AH1248)
and leaf on rev.
(More at top of next page)
coins, for the most part, are very common and inexpensive and, until
the advent of the machine struck coins, poorly struck and crude. It
is possible to make a very interesting general collection or to special-
ize in one of the better states like Mysore, Hyderabad, Kutch and so on.
300
More copper
Bundi C17a Paisa
(Note symbols on reverse)
Lunavada Y6 Paisa
VS1949
Some Hyderabad, Hutch, Mysore types:
Hyderabad Y31 8 Annas
Machine Struck AH 13 18
Hyderabad Y59 1 Anna
Bronze, AH1361
Hutch C61 Trambiyo
Copper (handstruck) AH1267
Mysore Cl 93 20 Cash 1833-43
Handstruck. Note date in Roman
numerals, value in Latin XX Cash
Hutch 5 Kori Silver, AD1936/SE1922
Y67, In Name of Edward VIII, Machine Struck
Jahangir Ar.
Burhanpur Mint, 10 37 AH
The Islamic coinages
have several special
features. The better
issues, like the Mug-
hals, are dated, un-
usual for most Indian
coinage. This latter
is one of the major
problems for those with tidy minds.
It is also one for this historian.
However, some series use "frozen"
dates and the succession of coins
can only be judged, if at all, by
style - usually degeneration - and
sometimes by weight. There is a
major problem, not applicable only
to Indian coins, but to many Islamic
Mysore coins from 1800
to c.1854 are fascin-
ating, plentiful and
often very beautiful.
301
namely much of the legend may be off the flan. This is not always due
to poor striking, but often to the use of a die much too large for the
flan, use of the same die for several sizes of coins. Sometimes one
may need 7 or 8 specimens of the same coin to complete a legend. In
very extreme cases, there may even be only one or two letters on the
metal .
There are three books on the market which are essential (and all that
are needed) for the beginner collector of Indian Islamic coins. Hall's
Collector's Guide of the Muhanmadan Coins of India 3 covers a personal
collection but it covers most of the coins the general collector is
likely to enounter. A similar book is the very recent The World of
Islam by M. Mitchiner, in the section on India. This last also seems
to be a personal collection that he built up from the materials he
found in various places in England. In both these books the coins are
"illustrated types", and the pictures are nice and clear in most cases.
An earlier book, using hand-drawn illustrations, is W. H. Valentine's
Copper Coins of India3 Vols. I & II (Islamic only) (a reprint) . Again
these are the types of coins a general collector is likely to encounter.
However, given the immense variety of Indian coins, not excluding many
bazaar and contemporary forgeries, there is always the chance of inter-
esting discoveries.
III. The third, and, naturally, by far the largest group, is that of
coins native to the country even though they may have been influenced
Sassanian- Arabic Fire Altar.
Attendant on each side.
Note crescent and star on borders.
by outside or alien cultures (e.g.
the effect of the Kushans, the Sas-
sanian fire altar, and so on.
Sassanian Ar Drachm.
XUSRO II 591-628
Obv . : King
Rev.: Fire altar and attendants.
Style of all coinage before
degeneration.
The first, and in many ways the most fascinating are the so-called
"punch mark" coins. These are India’s own indigenous coinage, beginning,
«
India Punch Mark Ar. Maury a Dyn. Punch Mark Ar.
Magadha Empire 3 c.4th c. B.C. 3-2 Cent. B.C. (note sun left.
On obv. bottom right note sun , tree. Denom. : Karshapana
302
I believe in N.W. India. They are small, specific weights of silver
cut to weight and stamped with a punch. The symbols, or banker's
marks, are as ancient as India itself and persist throughout its his-
tory, the elephant, sun, tree, wheel, and so on. The majority are
silver, copper being uncommon - incidentally the majority of India
coins are copper, not bronze, and hence the problem of wear. The
punch mark series has been quite elaborately worked out and there are
several useful catalogues. The great majority of coins is inexpensive
so it is tolerably easy to build up an interesting collection.
A second group which itself can be subdivided according to one's inter-
ests and pocket book, are various specific dynasties which had a major
part in Indian history. Here it is essential to remember the age old
connection of India with S.W. Central Asia and with Afghanistan.
Specifically, the empires of the Kushans (copper and gold only) and
of the Sassanians - neither really Indian but with specific influences
on the coinage, the Guptas and the Western Satraps; to a lesser extent
Western Satraps
Nahapana 205/24 A.D. Ar
Ohind (N.W. India)
Obv. : Horseman
Rev. : Seated Bull
Bull and Horseman is one of the common-
est types , ranging from Ar to Cu and
increasingly debased.
the Hindu Kings of Ohind,
and those of Kashmir . The
coins of these last two are
difficult to read without a
guide, and also without having seen and studied some actual specimens
first. In these last two cases, most catalogues are not too helpful,
but the expectant collector may turn to articles of John S. Deyell
in the N I BULLETIN (Sept. 1976, PP307-313; Nov. 1976, PP371-384; Jan.
1977, pp9-18; and June 1978, ppl82-187) .
A final, general group is that of the so-called "tribal" coins, many
cast, indigenous, little understood, often in poor condition, and with
many traditional symbols on them. These can have a very special fasci
Chola (S. India)
Ar Kasu 1012-1044 A.D.
Fish under umbrella, Magaria
script. Fish is Chola symbol.
Cho la (S. India)
Ae Massa. Raja Raja 995-1016 AD.
Corrmonest Chola coin, forerunner
of Ceylon types.
Obv. : King Standing.
Rev. : King Seated, script at
right.
nation since they are reflective of Indian culture and religious ex-
pressions - again symbols as old as India itself. These are a natural
303
Raj put ana &
Punjab 6-8th C.
Copper Siva & Bull. Degenerate
desoendent of Rushan type.
Au Pagoda o. 1200-1400
Obv. : Front of elephant.
Rev. : Scroll.
John Allan's
as to
follow up for the punchmark series. The main catalog.
Coins of Ancient India has been reprinted and is very clear,
details, plates and layouts.
Should you feel you might be interested, choose your field, and then
order a number of fully identified specimens from a reliable dealer.
Since there is no dating, usually no script, only symbols, it is es-
sential to study a variety of identified specimens in relation to your
text, before you embark into buying generally.
The United States is lucky in that there are several dealers who really
know their Indian coins, and there is a wholesale house. It is help-
ful to join one of the several U.S. societies that include Indian
coinage in their fields of interest (NI, ONS, OIN) . We are also for-
turnate to have in the U.S. several individuals, as well as organiz-
ations, who write, and print, helpful articles and material. Also,
in my own work, I have found the fraternity of India collectors and i
students a most helpful and cooperative one. '
Gadhaiya Paisa
Ar (often base) 750-1000 A.D.
Obv. : Stylized Sassanian bust.
Rev. : Stylized Fire Altar , one
of India ' s commonest
types .
N. India
Ar Drachm (often base) 9-10th C.
Obv.: Stylized bust.
Rev.: Stylized Fire Altar and
Attendants , forerunner of
Gadhayia paisa ( very common) .
To anyone who wishes information about dealers and catalogs, and who
sends an SASE, I will be glad to supply the information.
*********************************************************************
304
NfllMfl AND NUMISMATICS
by R. J. Hebert , Rockville , Maryland
Recently I had occasion to refer to one of the useful Amo Press
Reprint works from their Middle East Collection, Naima's Annals of
the Turkish Empire from 1591 to 1659 of the Christian Era , a trans-
lation by Charles Fraser of the Tarikh-i Naima, originally published
in London in 1832, in which Naimi "working within an extensive tra-
dition of Ottoman historiography, chronicles a long and crucial
period during which the fortunes of the Empire began to collapse".
I would like to share with you the few but interesting numismatic
items which I found.
In his first reference, Naima tells us that in A.H. 1010 (=A.D. July
2, 1601 - June 21, 1602):
"In consequence of some confusion which had arisen with respect
to the value of the coin, the new species, prepared by Yemishji
Hasan Pasha, appeared on the 5th of Rabia II. of this year. The
ducat, which formerly went for two hundred akchas , now circulated
for one hundred and twenty; and the dollar for eighty akchas. "(1)
Elsewhere, we lear that in A.H. 1016 (=A.D. April 28, 1607 - April
17, 1608:
"Zighmun (Sigismund), king of Poland, at this time sent an ambas-
sador to Constantinople, with the view of negotiating a contin-
uance of the friendly relation which had subsisted betwixt Turkey
and Poland since the last treaty of peace, entered into during
the reign of Sultan Mohammed Khan III. In this treaty it was
stipulated, that though the dollar, bearing the impression of the
lion, which is current in Poland, be less in weight than the
proper standard, it shall still be received, and the loss arising
from this circumstance shall be mutual.
"All the above articles having been approved of by the emperor,
were signed on the 20th of Rabia I. of this year."(2)
The following year, Naima writes that:
"After succeeding in crushing the insurgents, as above described,
and establishing good order everywhere, Mohammed Pasha extended
his prudent and capacious mind to every department of government,
as well as to other objects of utility. One of his measures was ,
regulating the coin of Egypt , which had been very much worn and
obliterated, and which of course had caused much confusion, and
even deception in buying and selling." (3)
Elsewhere, Naima gives the important information that in A.H. 1026
(=A.D. January 9, 1617 - December 29, 1617):
305
"About the commencement of the month of Moharrem of this year a
firman was issued to coin new silver coin and the piece of ten
aspres , and Beker Effendi, the second defterdar, was made inspector
of the mint. By means of a sum of ten purses of gold he establish-
ed other mints in other parts of the empire. After a certain time
had elapsed, the new coin was ordered to be put in circulation,
and the old condemned. The new coin having been discovered to
be deficient, however, the old, which possessed full weight, was
again allowed to come into use." (4)
Footnotes :
(1) p.160, Naima. The akcha was a small silver coin, at this time
about 12mm in diameter. Jem Sultan, in Coins of the Ottoman
Empire and the Turkish Republic, Thousand Oaks, California, 1977,
sets up 16 coin types for Mehmed Ill's reign (A.H. 1003-1012
=A.D. 1595-1603. Weights of the akcha can be seen from the
following frequency distribution table derived from pages 142-146
of volume I.
0.15
X
0.32
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
0.16
0.33
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
0.17
0.34
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
0.18
0.35
xxxxxx
0.19
X
0.36
XX
0.20
0.37
X
0.21
0.38
XX
0.22
XXX
0.39
XX
0.23
X
0.40
0.24
XXXX
0.41
X
0.25
XX
0.42
0.26
XXXXXXX
0.43
0.27
XXXX
0.44
0.28
xxxxxx
0.45
0.29
xxxxxx
0.46
X
0.30
xxxxxxxx
0.31
xxxxxxxx
Anton Schaendlinger in his Osmanische Numismatik (Braunschweig
1973) p.73, gives a range of from 0.25 to 0.37 for the akchas of
this ruler.
(2) pp. 353-354, Naima. The silver lion dollar (dog dollar or Leeuwen-
daalder) of the United Provinces, which derives its name from the
lion on the obverse which is in an upright position, was a kind
of trade dollar issued from 1576 to the close of the seventeenth
century. Sigismund III ruled from A.D. 1587-1632.
(3) p.377, Naima. Misr (or Egypt) is one of the rare mints for this
ruler, Ahmed I, A.H. 1012-1026 =A.D. 1603-1617.
(4) p.465, Naima. The coins of Mustafa I, 1st reign, A.H. 1026-1027
=A.D. 1617-1618, are exceedingly rare. Jem Sultan lists two
pieces, both gumush, one from Amid weighing 1.06, and one from
Van(?), weighing 1.30.
306
Some Spanish Civil
War Notgeld
by W. A. Haskell , Marxzell/Pfaffenrot 3 Vest Germany , NI #LM~15
Calvo Sotelo, Spanish monarchist leader, was assassinated by Republi-
cans on July 13, 1936, an even which touched off the series of events
leading to the bloody Spanish Civil War of 1936-39.
General Sanjurjo, leader of the military-supported "Movimiento Nacio-
nal" (national Movement) , was killed in a airplane accident in July
1936; and General Francisco Franco, then in the Canary Islands as
Captain-General, allied himself with the local military chiefs to
take over. He left the Canaries for Spanish Morocco where he took
command of all military operations in southern Spain. Nationalist
General Mola developed military action in Navarre in the north while
Franco's troops crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from Africa, landing
at Algerciras July 20, 1936, supported by General Queipo de Llano who
had alread seized Seville in a coup de main on July 18, enabling it
to be used as a bridgehead for Franco's forces arriving two days
later. Their aim was to ultimately link up with General Mola's forces
in the north and cut Spain in two, which was achieved in August by
the capture of Badajoz.
Irun was captured by General Mola on September 15, cutting communi-
cations between Republican forces on the north coast and those in
Catalonia. By the fall of 1936 the Nationalists had beseiged Madrid;
and in October, at Burgos, Franco was proclaimed Generalising and head
of the government, establishing an administration in Salamanca as a
provisional capital.
The fighting dragged on through 1937, with the capture of Bilbao in
June, Santander in August and Gijon in October by the Nationalists,
giving them control of the north. Teruel was finally taken in Feb-
ruary and Vinaroz on April 15, 1938, cutting the Republican military
forces into two parts. With the capture of Barcelona on the 26th
of January 1939, and although Madrid and Valencia held out until the
28th and 30th of March respectively, the fighting was largely over
and the Franco regime was recognized by France and England on Feb-
ruary 27, 1939.
By the end of the war Spain's economy and cities lay in ruins and
her population had been reduced by nearly a million. During the
long and bitter fighting all semblance of normal conmerce disappeared
and due to the war conditions many issues of notgeld appeared to
provide some medium of exchange.
Some examples of this emergency money are shown here. Two notes from
Badajoz (pop. 101,700), capital of the province of Extremadura (which
produced most of the Conquistadores) . Badajoz dates from Roman times
and is located in western Spain near the Portuguese frontier. It
307
was captured early by the Nationalists as already mentioned. Both
notes were issued October 1, 1937, under the Nationalist regime.
Badajoz, 25 Centimos
Obverse
Badajoz, 25 Centimos
Reverse
The 25 Centimos note is lacking a serial number and may never have
been in circulation. The color is blue on the obverse and brown on
the reverse.
308
PROVINCIAL
§E |ADAJOZ
%'fScte M Peseta
viWC^i'ft-.l
vcm'-kt mw
immmt
Badajozj 1 Peseta
Obverse
Badajoz, l Peseta
Reverse
The 1 Peseta note is red on the obverse and brown on the reverse,
which pictures a typical Extremadura shepherd. It shows much
handling.
309
Caravcusa, 1 Peseta
Obverse
A well worn 1 Peseta note from Caravaca (pop. 18,415), located in
the Levant region of southern Spain, was issued 27 July 1937, and
is red with black serial number and signature.
310
Alicante 3 1 Peseta
Obverse
Alicante , 1 Peseta
Reverse
Another well worn note was issued by the nearby city of Alicante
(pop. 184,370) on June 30, 1938, long after the area was under the
control of Nationalist forces. Denominated as 1 Peseta, it is blue
on a beige on the obverse showing a general view of the city, and red
on the reverse with light green and the city coat of arms in the
center .
311
Murcia , 1 Peseta
Obverse
i<WHWIIIII
. .
•*{•••
»Bii
Murcia , 1 Peseta
Reverse
A 1 Peseta note issued by the city of Murcia (pop. 243,700), also in
the Spanish Levant, is uncirculated. It is dated 1937 and is black
on beige on the obverse, with thereverse showing a green serial
number and letter.
312
Three notes issued by the city council of Alcahiz (pop. 10,800) in
the northern province of Aragon are uncirculated. Alcahiz lies on
the river Guadalupe, a tributary of the Ebro River which saw heavy
fighting near Totosa at a cost of 150,000 dead in a four month
battle in 1938. The three notes consist of 25 Centimos in purple,
50 Centimos in green and 1 Peseta in russet. All have stamped
AlcafliZj 1 Peseta
Obverse
Alaafliz , 1 Peseta
Reverse
313
serial numbers in black and were issued in June 1937. On the obverse
margins are scenes of fighting on the top, agriculture and manu-
facturing on the bottom; the reverse shows grain and coats of arms
left and right, and a view of Plaza de Espana center.
Spanish Civil War notgeld is scarce to rare, as few seem to have
reached collectors or survived the holocaust. Further, little seems
to be known about the various issues and apparently there has been no
attempt to collect or list it scientifically, with the exception of
a Spanish publication that does list it however, I have not seen it.
******* *************************************************************
HINTS FOR COLLECTORS
Reprinted from Alfred & Augusta Szego's Seventh Bulletin for 1980
Foreign coin collecting could be enjoyed by nearly all classes of
society. Your horizons will be limited only by your energy, imagin-
ation and (in a whisper) your pocketbook. Note that projects enter-
ed without plan stay without plan and end without plan. Without plan
is a splendid plan for chaos . Direct your energies toward acquiring
available coins that fit into your theme and add a very few that tie
your theme to other areas.
For example, a U.S. coin collector might attempt to obtain some
coins of King George III of Great Britain; 1867 dated Russian coins
to relate to the Alaskan Purchase as well as other significant dates
in U.S. history in which other countries were involved.
A few related medals and banknotes plus some attractive engravings
of coats of arms helps to connect your theme to the body of history,
elevating it above an accumulation of assorted coins. Tokens and
jettons reflect an important area in numismatic history and add color
to your basic coinage theme.
Forming a collection is not altogether different from painting or
writing. In all of these art forms something meaningful is added
to create a completed work; paints to canvas, words and ideas to
writing and coins plus related items to a collection.
*********************************************************************
IDENTIFICATION. Please?
Jack Lewis of Dallas, Texas has submitted an item for this column
on which he would like positive identification.
The piece appears to be copper-nickel and is 19mm in diameter with a
smooth edge. One side has an elephant facing left with the following
legend around the rim: AUTOMATIC MACHINE CO (INDIA)-. The other
side has a large figure 1 inside a diamond shaped box with a leaf at
the outer flat side of each of the 4 sides of the box. Legend around
reads: INDIA BURMA & CEYLON. At the very bottom next to the rim
reads: J. H. SOMERVILLE.
Can anyone help on this?
314
THE INFLATION SPIRAL AND NUMISMATICS
by Simcha Kuritzky , NLG3 NEWS j NI
If one had told a numismatist a little over a year ago that dealers
would soon be paying almost three dollars for a common silver Canadian
10c , one would have gotten a reaction of disbelief. And if one had
told the dealer in late January 1980 that the intrinsic value of silver
coins would soon be one-third the current rate, one probably would
have gotten a similar reaction. However, it is true that the price
of an ounce of silver (which has a strong bearing on the price of
common silver coins) went dramatically up and then down, as shown below
The question is: What happened? According to traditional numismatic-
economic thinking, such a convulsion is impossible. The demand for
numismatic items is based solely upon people's preferences, and people
as a whole just don't change their minds like that in a matter of
months. Therefore, this old definition of the demand schedule is ob-
viously out-dated, and prevents a serious analysis of the numismatic
market. What is needed is a definition that encompasses economic con-
ditions .
Demand for coins, currency, etc. is made up of three parts: the ser-
ious collector's demand, which is dependent upon income; the investor's
demand, which is dependent on the interest rate; and since there is al-
ways a certain amount of putting a few old pieces away, there is an
additional demand that is unaffected by the economy.
The problem with the investment demand is that while it should be based
on future performance, it is actually based on past performance. One
can always buy a bond, and since one knows the maturity length, price
paid, and interest to be received, one knows with some certainty the
minimum rate of return on it. However, coins have no interest rate
stamped into them (or if they do, as in some currency, the issuing
authority is no longer paying interest). Thus, virtually all an in-
vestor has to estimate his or her rate of return is past performance.
This is the main cause of the numismatic inflationary spiral (N.I.S.),
whose life is as follows: Some action is the cause of certain numis-
matic items' price to rise noticably, and thus their rate of return
is high (as compared to other investments). This attracts some in-
vestors, who bid up the price even more, and cause the rate of return
to continue to increase. Thus, even more investors enter the market,
until almost all who are interested are in the market, and the growth
of demand has fallen. This causes the price to start to stabilize,
and the rate of return falls to zero. Since the drastic rise in price
has caused some collectors and early investors to sell, at this point
supply starts to exceed demand, and as investors drop out, the price
falls and the rate of return becomes negative. This causes more in-
vestors to drop out, and a panic starts where many try to get out with
whatever earnings or losses they have made. And so the price ends
up usually somewhere near where it started.
Sep. 18, 1979 - $12.54
Dec. 10, 1979 - $18.90
Dec. 21, 1979 - $23.75
Jan. 7, 1980 - $36.80
Jan. 21, 1980 - $48.00
Feb. 11, 1980 - $38.50
Feb. 25 , 1980 - $29.45
Mar. 25, 1980 - $23.25
Apr. 1, 1980 - $17.00
Apr. 29, 1980 - $13.75
315
This is what happened to silver recently, but the NIS is not unique
to this day of substantial general inflation and economic uneasiness.
Probably the most notable NIS was that of the early and mid sixties,
when silver was on the rise and many collectors switched to British
commonwealth pieces. In early 1964, the price of a New Zealand 1935
crown in EF was $250; it was $375 a half year later. In 1966 and 1967,
the NIS reached its peak with the crown selling for $725, but in 1968
it bottomed out and the price stayed at $500 for some years. Today
the crown sells for $875, which is equivalent to $375 in 1964 buying
power, and $400 in 1967 buying power.
What's the answer? Are we forever doomed to suffer through these
periods of mass hysteria? Probably not, as we are now just inside the
threshold of the Era of Communication. More information is available
to more researchers, and when numismatic economics is better under-
stood , it can shine a beacon to ward ships of investment away from
the rocks of over-expectation.
**********************************************************************
INDIA BOOK NOTES
by David G. Briggs, Meredith , New Hampshire, NI #1444
Recent Library of Congress Acquisition Lists have noted the following
publications in India related to numismatics:
The Indian Museum in Calcutta has issued its Monograph No. 12 entitled
"Kushana Coins of the Land of the Five Rivers", by Bratindra Nath
Mukherjee. It has 110 pages, 17 plates, bibliography, and index,
and is priced at Rupees 100. (Spink in London offered it in the
June 1980 Numismatic Circular for 10 pounds.) "The Land of the Five
Rivers" referes to the Punjab.
A booklet entitled Akbar and His Coins, by Pravin Parikh , has been
published by B. P. Parikh in Rajkot. It has 12 pages and six leaves
of plates. No price indicated.
The University of Calcutta has published the study "Indigenous States
of Northern India, circa 200 B.C. to 320 A.D." which Dr. Bela Lahiri
originally presented at that University as her doctoral thesis. It
is based mainly on ancient tribal and local coins. The forward is
by the eminent Indian historian. Dr. R. C. Majumdar, and the book
has 398 pages, six leaves of plates, a bibliography, and an index.
It is priced at Rupees 50. Dr. Bela Lahiri is the wife of Amarendra
Nath Lahiri, the numismatist and author of the Corpus of Indo- Greek
Coins (Calcutta 1964) and other works.
Also of interest to Indian specialists is a book History of Indian
Currency and Banking, by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar , issued by Thacker
Publishers, Bombay. It has a 12 page introduction, 285 pages of
text, and includes bibliographical references and an index. No price
is listed.
316
CONTENTS OF THE NI REFERENCE COLLECTION
(Only coins grading FINE or better are being listed in this continuing
inventory of the NI REFERENCE COLLECTION . Members desiring to borrow
coins from the collection for research purposes , lecture use 3 non-
competitive displays, or any other reasons , may do so by paying post-
•age and insurance both directions . Coins which are underlined are
UNCIRCULATED. )
RHODESIA (ZIMBABWE) :
Southern Rhodesia : Y6 - 1932; Y8a - 1944; Y19a - 1947; Y19b - 1944;
Y21 - 1942; Y28 - 1951, 1952; Y29 - 1952; Y30 - 1952.
Republic of Rhodesia: YA1 - 1968; Y1 - 1964; Y3 - 1964; Y5 - 1970;
Y6 - 1970; Y7 - 1970.
Rhodesia & Nyasaland: Y1 - 1957 , 1958, 1964; Y2 - 1957, 1961, 1962 ,
1963; Y3 - 1956, 1964; Y4 - 1957; Y5 - 1956, 1957; Y7 - 1955.
ROMANIA: Y29 - 1900; Y30 - 1900; Y31 - 1900; Y44 - 1914; Y47 - 1921;
Y49 - 1924, 1924 (p) ; Y50 - 1942 (p) ; Y55 - 1930A; Y60 - 1937; Y75 -
1942, 1944; Y76 - 1943; Y96 - 1952; Y97 - 1952; Y98a - 1956; Y102 -
1963; Y103 - 1960; Y104 - 1960; Y105 - 1963; Y107 - 1966; Y108 - 1966;
Y109 - 1966; Y110 - 1966; Ylll - 1966.
RUSSIA: C118 - 1812HMIIC, 1815EMHM; C136 - 1829EMHK; C140 -
1833EM; C144 - CHM; C146 - 1841EM; C149 - 1854; C163 - 1845;
y 2 - 1855EM; Y3 - 1855, 1856, 1858, 1860; Y3a - 1860, 1866;
Y 4 - 1858EM; Y4a - 1861EM; Y5a - 1859 ; Y8 - 1869Cnb; Y9 -
1896, 1899, 1900, 1905, 1911, 1913, 1916; Y10 - 1877, 1911,
1913; Yll ^ 1904; Y12 - 1875; Y19a - 1890; Y20a - 1915;
•Y21a - 1914, 1915; Y22a - 1904, 1913, 1916; Y23 - 1878;
Y47 - 1909; Y59 - 1898Ar.
RUSSIA (U.S.S.R.): Y76 - 1924 reeded; Y78 - 1924 plain; Y80 - 1923;
Y81 - 1923; Y82 - 1923; Y83 - 1922; Y86 - 1928; Y87 - 1925; Y88 - 1929;
Y89 - 1924; Y91 - 1927; Y92 - 1929, 1931, 1933, 1935; Y93 - 1932; Y94 -
1930; Y95 - 1932; Y96 - 1932, 1933; Y97 - 1931; Y98 - 1936; Y99 - 1935,
1936; Y100 - 1936; Y102 - 1936; Y102 - 1936; Y104 - 1935, 1936; Y105 -
1939, 1940; Y106 - 1940, 1945; Y107 - 1940; Y108 - 1940, 1946; Y109 -
1940; Y110 - 1943, 1945; Ylll - 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943;
Y112 - 1949, 1952, 1953; Y113 - 1952; Y114 - 1953; Y115 - 1953; Y116 -
1955, 1956; Y117 - 1955, 1956; Y118 - 1948, 1954, 1955, 1956; Y119 -
1957; Y120 - 1957; Y121 - 1957; Y122 - 1957; Y123 - 1957; Y124 - 1957;
Y125 - 1957; Y126 - 1961, 1963, 1973; Y127 - 1961, 1970, 1972; Y128 -
1961, 1970; Y129 - 1961, 1962; Y130 - 1961, 1971; Y131 - 1961, 1962;
Y132 - 1961; Y133 - 1961; Y133a - 1964; Y134a - 1964; Y141 - 1970;
Y142 - 1975.
RWANDA: Y1 - 1965; Y2 - 1964; Y4 - 1970.
RWANDA & BURUNDI: Y1 - 1961.
ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON: Y1 - 1948; Y2
ST. TOME & PRINCIPE: Y14 - 1951; Y15
Y18 - 1962; Y19 - 1962; Y20 - 1962.
SAN MARINO: Y15 - 1935; Y35 - 1974.
- 1948.
- 1962; Y16 - 1962; Y17 - 1962;
SAUDI ARABIA: Y2 - 1343; Y9a - 1356; YlOa - 1356; Ylla - 1356; Y18 -
1354; Y19 - 1354; Y20 - 1354; YA23 - 1376, 1378; Y24 - 1376, 1379;
Y25 - 1376, 1378: Y32 - 1392; Y33 - 1392; Y34a - 1392; Y35 - 1392.
317
NEW ISSUES WITH ASSIGNED YEOMAN NUMBERS
(The catalog numbers assigned to new issue coin listings published
here are supplied and copyrighted by Western Publishing Co., Inc.,
Whitman Coin Products, Rachine, Wise., U.S.A. No further use of
these numbers in any other publication is authorized.)
AUSTRALIA
* Y50 200 Dollars 1980, .9167 Gold (24mm) , The Koala Bear
AUSTRIA
* Y163 500 Schilling 1980, .640 Silver (36mm)
Bicentennial Death of Maria Theresia
FALKLAND ISLANDS
Y14 50 Pence 1980, Cupro-Nickel (30mm, heptagonal planchet)
* Y15 25 Pence 1980, Cupro-Nickel (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
* Y16 25 Pence 1980, .925 Silver (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
* Y73 5 Mark 1980, Cupro-Nickel (29mm) , Adolph Von Menzel
GIBRALTAR
* Y8 1 Crown 1980, Cupro-Nickel (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
* Y8a 1 Crown 1980, .925 Silver (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
GUERNSEY
* Y25 25 Pence 1980, Cupro-Nickel (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
* Y25a 25 Pence 1980, .925 Silver (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
ST. HELENA
* Y4 25 Pence 1980, Cupro-Nickel (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother |
* Y4a 25 Pence 1980, .925 Silver (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
SAUDI ARABIA
Y37 5 Halala 1397 (1977), Cupro-Nickel (19.5mm)
Y38 10 Halala 1397 (1977), Cupro-Nickel (21mm)
SIERRA LEONE
* Y14 1 Leone 1980, .925 Silver (38.6ram), OAU Summit Conference
* Y15 5 Leones 1980, .9167 Gold (28.4mm), OAU Summit Conference
TRISTAN DA CUNHA
* Y3 25 Pence 1980, Cupro-Nickel (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
* Y3a 25 Pence 1980, .925 Silver (38.6mm), 80th Birthday Queen Mother
TUVALU
* Yll 25 Pence 1980, Silver (Unc./.500 fine, Proof/. 925 fine) (42mm),
80th Birthday Queen Mother
WESTERN SAMOA
* Y35 1 Tala 1980, Cupro-Nickel (38.7mm), 1980 Olympic Games
* Y36 10 Tala 1980, Silver (Unc./.500 fine. Proof/. 925 fine)
1980 Olympic Games
* Y37 100 Tala 1980, .9167 Gold (28.5mm), Olympic Games 1980
(38. 7mm) ,
€
318
BOOK REVIEWS
Papiergeld3 Ein Brevier fUr Sammler ( Pape money : A Handbook for
Collectors) , by Albert Pick, 116pp, illus., soft cover, published
and available from Falken Verlag, GmbH, Postfach 1120, D-6272 Neider-
hausen/Taunus , West Germany.
Attractively bound in a brightly colored soft cover, this new guide
book for beginner or advanced collectors presents a detailed summary
of essential information about paper money. The German language
volume written by specialist and expert Albert Pick of Munich, West
Germany, covers all aspects of paper money collecting from banknotes
issued by official governmental monetary authority to the numerous
emergency (notgeld) issues , types of printing and paper, use of water-
marks and a very valuable paper money history. General, specialized
and topical collecting are covered with particular emphasis on all
forms of German paper issues , including railroad and postal emergency
issues, issues of Danzig, former German colonies as well as military
and occupation issues.
Other aspects of collecting which are covered include varieties and
grading, discussion of counterfeits, the care and cleaning of a collec-
tion and the utilization of materials other than paper such as leather,
silk, linen, wood and porcelain as a medium of exchange.
An extensive bibliography lists pertinent literature including hand-
books and periodicals, while six pages are devoted to foreign publi-
cations arranged alpahabetically by country.
Liberally illustrated with good quality black and white photographs,
the illustrations are strategically placed to provide additional
meaning to the accompanying text .
This little handbook presents all the essential aspects of paper money
collecting in one small, compact guide logically arranged for easy
reference. Aimed at a German readership, an English edition would be
appreciated and of inestimable value in this burgeoning hobby.
Reviewed by W. A. Haskell
TURKIYE CUMHURIYETI MADENl PARALAR KATALOGU 3 by M. Bdlent Co§kum &
Giivendik Fi§ekjioglu. 1979 Edition. Printed in Turkey, July, 1979,
paperback, 192pp, stiff paper cover. ET200.
In this latest edition of the standard reference of the metal coinage
of the Turkish Republic, illustrations of each new type of coin dis-
cussed appears in the text itself (obverse/reverse). This is an up-
dated version of the 1977 edition, the original of which was edited
by Bay Co§kun alone and appeared in 1971. Bay Giivendik Figekfioglu,
who joins him in this volume, is the secretary and leading promoter
of the fairly new Turkish Numismatic Society. A retired naval officer,
now in private business, he has an excellent command of English. The
unfortunate Turkish Antiquities Law, which forbids even citizens to
collect Ottoman coins, has compelled them to have a greater interest
319
in the coins of the Republic.
Note that this volume deals solely with the metal (madeni) currency,
nor does it include medals.
Kod No. 018 25 KURU§
(Code no.) 1935
Madeni
Giimii; 830 ayar
(Metal)
(Silver 830 grade)
Cap
(Diameter)
19 mm
Agirlik
(Weight)
3 gr
Kaltnlik
1 .10 mm
(Thickness)
Baski adedi
888,000
(Mintage)
Kenar ozellig’
Tirtikli kisimlar arasinda kabartma olarak iki yildiz ve iki yildiz
arasinda yine kabartma olarak T.C.
l*‘T.C.*l
(Edge characteristic) (Two embossed stars in between the milled parts, and embossed
T.C. in between two stars)
On yuzu
(Obverse)
Arka yiizii
(Reverse)
Agiklama
( Explanation)
Ortada Atalurk'iin sola bakan portresi c^vresinde TURKlYE
CUMHURlYETl yazisi.
(In the middle, portrait of Atatiirk facing left, TURKlYE Cl.'M-
HURlYBTl inscribed around the circumference)
Ortada ba$ak resmi , solunda 25 rakkami, saginda Kuru$ yazisi,
altta 1935 tanhi
(In the centre wheat ear, on the left, figure 25, on the right
Kuruij inscription, and below date 1935)
Cumhuriyet doneminde basilan ilk 25 kuru^luk olup, Kod No.
016 ve 017 de oldugu gibi Atatiirk portresi Londra Darphanesi
gravurcusu Mr Medkaley tarafmdan yapilmi$tir (,'illeri az bulunur.
Tedaviilden kaldirilmi^tir.
( It is the first 25 Kuru<> coin of the Republic period. As has been
with the Code No. 016 and 017, the portrait of Atatiirk has been
engraved by the engraver of the London Mintage, Mr. Medkaley.
Extremely fine conditioned ones are rather rare It is demone
tized.)
“SI-
HJC
?lL
CT.
T.
N.
S.
PF.
Unc
E.F.
V.F.
F.
G.
P.
—
30
25
13
12
11
10
Sample page of text.
320
The book is written in Turkish but there is an English translation of
the foreword, the articles of classification and the coin terms. Each
type of coin minted is illustrated, with the appropriate data given
in English and Turkish, along with the account of the coin itself, i.e.
metal, diameter, mintage, etc., together with an actual account (explan-
ation) of the individual coin.
Thus it begins with the first coin the new Republic struck, the 10
kuru§ of 1340 A.H. (1924). This coin was still struck in the Ottoman
script, then still in use in the country. After 1934 all coins were
in the new Latin, Turkish phonetic script of the new alphabet.
It should be noted that the nickel 5, 10 and 20 para pieces of the
last Sultan still circulated along with the new coinage, at least
until World War II. It also should be noted that these are NOT in-
cluded in the catalog. The works concludes with the special issues,
i.e. LT50 silver pieces which were never in general circulation, and
the regular issues, year by year, to the close of 1977. After each
coin there is a chart of the average price of it, according to condition,
in Turkish liras. Unhappily, since 1977 the lira has undergone so many
devaluations on account of the frightful inflation, the values given
have no value today, except in proportion.
The book is an excellent introduction to the metal coinage of the
Turkish Republic and a valuable addition to any numismatic library.
Any correspondence (in English or Turkish) about Turkish coins should
be addressed to Bay Giivendik Figekfioglu, P.K. 258 (the box number
printed in the book is wrong), Osmanbey, Istanbul, Turkey.
A Personal Note: For anyone interested in the coins of Turkey, I
would strongly advise them to become members of the Tumish Numismatic
Society. The joining is a little cumbersome because of the laws of
Turkey which govern all organizations without exception of any kind,
covers the Society as well. It includes the providing of 4 passport
type photos , names of parents and other such information quite alien
to the U.S. system. However, it makes no difference to one individual-
ly, and those of us who use to live there, it is so much a part of
daily life that one thinks nothing of it. The main advantage of the
Society is that it provides sets of coins minted each year at cost,,
plus postage. Also, for anyone interested in medals, not only do
these go to members for special prices, but in some cases, since the
mintage is always small, one may not be able to obtain them in any
other way. There is seldom much coin variation from year to year
except the date, so what I have to say does not apply to those who
collect by type only. Some years back Mr. Lauren Benson told me
that he had given up getting the coins year by year, partly because
the minimum the mint required one to take as too many for the demand
in this country, partly because the price demanded by the mint was
far too high in relation to the face value of the coin. This last
policy the mint had to adopt in self defense, for the lira has been
devalued so many times these past years that in relation to foreign
exchange, the face value may change two or three times a year. I gave
up trying to get the coins year by year because they were not avail-
able here and I either depended on friends, or the Society, to provide
me with new dates. In relation to the special issues like the silver
50, 200 lira pieces, these too were very limited in mintage and some
321
times an issue has been cornered by some numismatic firm and the price,
though offered as a "bargain", has been unreasonable in relation to
the mint price. As a member of the society, one is sure of getting
them at a reasonable price, or at least one has so far, plus postage.
The catalog does not include any of the gold pieces "monnaie de luxe"
that are minted yearly. Some of the medals produced have been in gold
as well as silver and bronze, and these are obtainable through the
society.
For those who collect paper money (notes) , these also are obtainable
through the society, and any current ones in mint condition are at
cost. For the paper of the Republic the reader is referred to Ciineyt
Oiler's 50 Yilin Turk Kagit Paralari. Incidentally, Bay Olfer has
recently been appointed Director of the Museum of Archaeology in Istan-
bul. This is the most important museum in the city, and it includes
all the national coin collection, much of which is unknown to anyone
outside Turkey but for a handful of scholars.
Reviewed by I. C. G. Campbell
The Standard Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Coins and Paper
Money 1981 3 by Steven Tan. 106pp, illus., 6-3/4" x 10-1/4", glossy
paper, stiff paper cover. Available from International Stamp & Coin
Agency, G.P.O. Box 2016, Kuala Lumpur 01-02, Malaysia, $8.00 U.S.
postpaid by seamail.
The third edition of this standard reference was released in July 1980.
The catalogue covers the coins and banknotes issued by British North
Borneo, Brunei, Malaya, Malaya & British Borneo, Malaysia, Sarawak,
Singapore and Straits Settlements. British trade dollars are also cata
logued. Banknotes issued by the Japanese during their occupation of
Malaya, Burma and Philippines; paper money issued by several estates
and settlements in Malaya during the 19th century; Malaya Rubber Export
Coupons; and Federated Malaya States War Loan & Bond Certificates and
Coupons are also catalogued.
The coins are catalogued by date and mint mark with valuations in Mal-
aysia Ringgit for up to 6 grades of preservation from very good through
proof. Mintage figures are given. A clear photo and the metal is
included for each type coin. Proof only issues, cased proof sets,
proof singles and uncirculated sets issued in wallets are listed and
priced. Overdate varieties are catalogued for the British trade dol-
lar series. Prices appear realistic to today's high priced market.
Banknotes are catalogued by the date of issue imprinted on the note
and valued in up to 5 conditions of preservation from very good through
uncirculated , depending on the issue. Photographs are given for one
or several type notes of each issue to identify the series. The authorj
has assigned a catalogue number to each type note but includes the
corresponding Pick number. The valuation of the various dates for
each type note is of great use for the dealer and collector.
The listing of paper money issued by several estates and settlements
322
in several of the Malaya States during the 19th century as well as
the lengthy listing of Rubber Export Coupons by date issued in various
Malay States from 1938-1942 are not listed in Albert Pick's World
Paper Money Catalogue. The coupons are catalogued by their "valid
until" date with valuations for 3 grades of preservation from very
fine to uncirculated.
Steven Tan is one of Malaysia's foremost stamp and coin and banknote
dealers. While some of his proces might be a bit high, the relative
difference in the prices for the scarce and common dates is of great
aid to all numismatists. This catalogue is now the standard reference
on this series.
Reviewed by Jerome H. Remick
*********************************************************************
NUMISMATIC BOOKS
by I. C. G. Campbell 3 Weeping Water , Nebraska , NX #LM-12
All serious coin collectors have one or two books on the areas of
their collecting. We live in a period when coin collecting has so
wide an appeal that there is just about a book on every field.
But numismatic books in themselves are a fascinating subject. Mr.
Kolbe's catalog for his seventh auction of such literature is a gem
in itself. To read through this catalog, just one sale, is to grasp
a little of the huge field of collecting and of relevant books. Some
of the finest volumes, with superb bindings and illustrations, belong
to the 19th century. A few take one back to the early 17th century.
It also serves to give one some idea of the great private collections
which have existed, most of all, perhaps, in the field of classical
coinage. This began with the Renaissance and went along with the
striking of some superb medallions , as well as some quite mythical
coins (once in Istanbul I bought a beautiful "tetradrachm" of Otho
which had a lovely and impossible collection of historical ladies
on its reverse!).
The catalog also serves to give one an idea of the large sums of
money that are now involved with these old time works. . .often glor-
iously beautiful editions produced for a handful of scholars and a
few wealthy dillettantes . When a gentleman made the "European Tour"
in the 18th century , it was expected that he would also build up a
"cabinet" during his travels.
Finally, it points up the value of sales catalogs, annotated and with
sale prices. Some of the books like Wroth, Anson, Mattingley and
Sydenham cost but a very few £stg when I was at college. Today they
have appreciated in value almost as much as many coins. I paid 6d
(then 10 cents) for an early 17th century one in Latin when I was at
St. Andrews. Its value now is in the hundreds. Wroth was being sold
off at the pre-World War I price as a remainder. A friend, who no
longer had any use for it, gave me a set of Cohen's Monnaies Imperiales.
Even in the field of books, how much times have changed!
323
MEMBER NOTICE PAGE
David G. Briggs, Box 915, Meredith, N.H. 03253: HELP WANTED! I recent-
ly encountered a large bronze medal (70mm) by C. Radnitzky with a man's
head facing right on the obverse, and crowned arms on the reverse, with
the following legends: Obv. - CARL • FREIHERR V: SCHEUCHENSTUEL . Rev. - {
DEM TREUEN FREUNDE DES BERGWESENS - 1864. Can anyone inform me who
was Baron von Scheuchenstuel and what was the occasion for the medal?
Enrico Tessaro, Via Archelao di Mileto 30, 00124 Roma Casalpalocco ,
Italy : WANTED: Collecting world coins by type. I am looking for
people who like to exchange world coins, minors and crowns, all metals
except gold. I get many thousands of world coins in VF or better con-
ditions, and my trade list contains also many Vatican City coins. All
letters will be answered in a few days. Your trade lists will be
welcomed and given back on request.
Joseph Uphoff, 801 Hilgard Ave. , Los Angeles, Calif. 90024: WANTED -
any information on Andorran coins, especially in regard to 19th century
issues. Also wanted to buy Mozambique Y27-Y34 1975 or later.
Fred G. van den Haak , P. 0. Box 11484, Palo Alto, Calif. 94306: WANTED
- Surinam coins, all 1679 issues, and Y-6 Gulden 1966 (very scarce date).
Serge Huard, C.P. 402, Pointe-aux-trembles , Quebec, Canada, H1B 5K3:
WANTED: Pieforts issued by France and its former colonies; Belize
gold coins in Matte Uncirculated, IJrillant Uncirculated & Proof;
Cook Islands, 1974, $100 Uncirculated and Proof gold coins; Jamaica, I
1978 & 1979, $25 (silver), $100 (gold) & $250 (gold) Proof coins;
Rhodesia 1966 gold coins (I am also interested by all the other Rhodes-
ian Uncirculated & Proof coins and by the Rhodesian banknotes); Hutt
River Province Proof coinage. Please send me a list of what you have
and let me know the prices you are asking. All letters answered.
*********************************************************************
CORRECTION — CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ARTICLE PUBLISHED LAST MONTH
LCdr . Andrews has noted an identification error in his excellent
article "Collecting World Topical Coins Christopher Columbus"
which was published last month (pp263-280) .
He advised he had made the common mistake of confusing El Salvador
and San Salvador. The next to last paragraph on page 263 should
read :
"Fig. 1 (following page) shows Columbus on a 1908 silver Peso of El
Salvador. This is the youngest appearing image of Columbus on coins.
He was born sometime between August and October 1451, and died May
19, 1506. A monument marks his grave on the Island of San Salvador,
or Watlings Island, the location of his first landfall in the new
world . "
LCdr. Andrews also noted that Columbus never did reach El Salvador
which is located on the western side of Central America.
324
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